Introduction to harmonium! finding an instrument
Buying a harmonium is an essential step if you want to create and maintain a home practice. Here are some suggestions for locating and finding the instrument that is the best fit for you.
Finding a harmonium to play… the all-important first step to cultivating a chanting practice! Until we have an instrument, we can only just dream about our chanting practice AND chant along with others. I can definitely say that buying a harmonium is a commitment to practice that will give back to you tenfold. And, if you change your mind, you will always be able to sell or pass on your instrument to someone new. So, If you are thinking of looking for one here are some tips as well as things to think about as you begin your search!
PORTABILITY:
Think about how you are going to use the instrument. Will it stay in your home and be used only there or are you planning to bring it to yoga classes or on trips with you? This is the biggest factor to consider when choosing which size of harmonium to buy. (A 30 lb harmonium may fold down in a travel suitcase and fit in the carry-on luggage compartment but it’s not fun getting it up and down! Also, be prepared to have a wheeled cart for moving it with you through airports.) That said, big, grand harmoniums often sound fantastic and if you are going to have one in your puja space one of these could very well be the perfect thing!
PRICE RANGE:
A good new harmonium costs around $600 and up. Sometimes this includes shipping, sometimes not. You can find used ones from anywhere from $150, BUT you need to see the instrument in person and play it if you are going to buy a used one to make sure it is working. Unless you are very sure you know how to fix one DON’T buy a harmonium that isn’t working well or doesn’t feel or sound good to you when you play it.
TUNING:
Harmoniums from India are tuned a bit sharper than instruments in the West. This will matter if you are looking to play with other instruments as your friends will need to tune to your harmonium. If you like, when you buy a new harmonium you can ask that it be tuned to A=440 (the standard in the West.) Most of the time a used harmonium will be slightly out of tune with itself and most likely be sharper than A=440. You can use a tuner app on your phone to see what the middle “A” is at and then check the same keys on top and bottom of the keyboard (play them together) and see how “in tune” they sound with one another. The very high and very low reeds tend to go the most out of tune. These also may not be where you are going to be playing. If the area on the keyboard where you will be most often playing sounds okay to you it is probably acceptable and can work as a ‘starter’ instrument. Harmoniums can be tuned, though if it is very out of tune it may need new reeds so If you have doubts or if you feel it just doesn’t sound good, skip it.
ALL That said…
See if there is one you can borrow.
Now that you have taken a class, you know your way around the instrument and hopefully how to care for it and not damage it. Often in yoga communities, there are harmoniums around that aren’t being played. If you are able to borrow one from a friend it is a good way to see how much you are going to actually play and how serious you are about purchasing one of your own. If a harmonium you borrow sounds funky or is a bit out-of-tune you can still learn a lot from practicing with it and getting used to pumping the bellows and playing the keys. Depending on it’s condition, it may be a little trickier to sing with.
Check Craigslist, Used Music stores & spiritual centers or ashrams in your area.
Harmoniums don’t stay on Craigslist very long. If you set an alert and see one advertised - Go and see it right away if you are seriously looking to buy. If it is in good condition it will sell! Check the used music stores in your town also and let them know you are looking for a harmonium so if one comes in they might get in touch. As always, play the instrument and make sure you like how it sounds.
Don’t buy a harmonium on e-bay or from a source online that you don’t know.
There are harmoniums for sale online, especially on eBay from companies in India (and elsewhere) that are less than $600 but I do not recommend these as in my experience students have had trouble when needing to get in touch regarding returns or repairs. If you cannot play the instrument in advance it’s really important that you can return it if it doesn’t sound the way you want. Make sure if you buy online there is a way to be in touch with the seller if the instrument arrives and is not in good condition or doesn’t sound the way you want.
If you are going to buy new, buy from a reputable source. This is even more important if you are not going to be able to play it in person before you buy. Here are a few places I recommend. Tell them I sent you and ask questions regarding the instrument, what to do if you need repairs, tuning, and their shipping & return policies. For sources in the town where you live ask the people who are offering Kirtan or get in touch and I can reach out to friends and see what we find!
Musicians Mall - https://www.musiciansmallusa.com/harmoniums/
Ragamala Harmoniums - http://ragamalapeti.com/
This is the kind of harmonium I most often use. The Ragamala Peti weighs less than 12 lbs!Old Delhi Music - https://olddelhimusic.com/collections/harmonium
The Bhava mini is a popular travel-size harmonium they carry.In Portland there are often harmoniums (one or two) at the Ananda ashram in Beaverton, or at the Fiji market on Interstate in North Portland
In Seattle there are harmoniums at East /West Bookstore, or outside of Mt. Rainier at Rain City Music - http://www.raincitymusic.com/
Now that you have an instrument! It’s time to take a workshop! See my next blog post for more information about how I teach and follow these LINKS for my workshops in-person, online, or through my Patreon community. Use the code BHAKTIFAMILY on payhip for 15% off the online course.
I’d love to hear what you find on your search and how your practice is going!! Reach out and let me know your experience!
All best ~ Ram Ram ~
In the Sound,
Kavita
